Ronald McDonald House Missoula

06/17/2026

SAVE THE DATE / BANDANA BALL 2026

Twenty years. One unforgettable night.

On Friday, September 18, 2026, join us as we celebrate 20 years of keeping families close at Ronald McDonald House Missoula.

This year's Bandana Ball will be unlike anything we've done before.

Together, we'll honor two decades of impact, celebrate the families, volunteers, donors, and partners who have shaped our story, and unveil an exciting new chapter for the House.

💛A moment in history you won't want to miss.
💛A look back at 20 years of hope and healing.
💛A glimpse into what's next.

This is more than a fundraiser, it's a once-in-a-generation celebration of community, compassion, and the thousands of families who have called our House home.

Limited tickets will be available.

Whether you've attended every Bandana Ball or have been waiting for the perfect year to join us, 2026 is the year to be there.

Interested in becoming an event sponsor or reserving a table before tickets are released? We'd love to visit with you.

Amy Peterson
[email protected]

Mark your calendars now:

Friday, September 18, 2026
University of Montana UC Ballroom

Because some milestones only happen once.

06/16/2026

A pantry full of snacks, baskets of fresh fruit, and the aroma of homemade muffins, Leona Knutson brought all of that and more to our House last week.

Although Leona lives more than 400 miles away, her heart has always remained close to Ronald McDonald House Missoula. As a longtime supporter, she never misses an opportunity to lend a helping hand and make a difference for the families we serve.

During her recent visit, Leona stocked our pantry with snacks, breakfast bars, and fresh fruit to help keep families nourished through long days at the hospital. She also spent the day in our kitchen baking the most delicious lemon blueberry muffins for our Sunny Start breakfast program, ensuring families had a warm, homemade treat to start their morning.

Leona's kindness reaches far beyond the miles she travels. Whether she's filling our shelves, baking for families, or stepping in wherever help is needed, she continually reminds our guests that they are surrounded by a caring community. ❤

Thank you, Leona, for your generous spirit, servant's heart, and unwavering support. Your thoughtfulness brings comfort, care, and a little extra sweetness to our House, and we are so grateful for all you do. ❤

Interested in volunteering? Contact Teresa at [email protected]!

06/11/2026

This Father's Day, the dads staying at Ronald McDonald House Missoula won't be celebrating the way they imagined.

Instead of backyard barbecues, gatherings with friends, and time spent at home with family, they'll be spending the day exactly where their children need them most—at hospital bedsides, in waiting rooms, and navigating a medical journey filled with uncertainty.

For some of our families, this will be a dad's very first Father's Day. A milestone that should be filled with joy, laughter, and precious memories. Instead, these fathers may spend their first Father's Day far from home, focused on caring for a sick or injured child and holding onto hope for brighter days ahead.

You can help make the day special! ❤

We're looking for volunteers to host a Father's Day barbecue at Ronald McDonald House Missoula or sponsors to provide a meal that dads would love. Whether you're grilling burgers and brats, serving a favorite family meal, or sponsoring dinner for our guests, you'll create a meaningful moment of comfort, connection, and celebration.

A shared meal may seem simple, but to a father carrying the weight of a child's medical crisis, it can mean so much more. It is a reminder that he is seen. That he is appreciated. That he is not walking this journey alone. ❤

This Father's Day, help us honor the incredible dads who show up every day with strength, courage, and unwavering love for their children.

Because every dad deserves to feel celebrated... and especially those spending Father's Day fighting alongside their sick child.

To be a volunteer grill master, or become a meal sponsor, please reach out to Teresa at 406.541.7646 or [email protected].

06/10/2026

💛Wishlist Wednesday💛

Our supplies are running low, and we need your help! Today's Wishlist includes items that we have completely run out of, or are dangerously close to running out of, and they are essentials our families rely on every day.

These aren't just supplies. They're the morning coffee that helps a parent face another day at the hospital, the cereal that makes breakfast easy before an early start, the juice boxes that bring a smile to a child, and the laundry supplies that help families maintain a sense of normalcy during an incredibly difficult time.

Our most urgent needs:
💛 Coffee K-Cups
💛 Honest Kids Juice Boxes
💛 Laundry Bleach Pods
💛 Family-Size Cereal Boxes or Bags

Don't have time to shop? We've made it easy! Items can be purchased and shipped directly to the House through our Amazon Wishlist:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/21W8AG1J43AEV?ref_=wl_share

Every donation helps us keep our pantry stocked, our laundry rooms running, and our families cared for while they stay close to their child receiving medical care.

Thank you for helping us fill our shelves and provide the comforts of home when families need them most. 💛

06/04/2026

Don't forget to nominate Ronald McDonald House Missoula for Best Local Nonprofit in Best of Missoula 2026! 💛

Nominations are open through June 21. Vote here: https://missoulian2.secondstreetapp.com/Missoula-Best-of---2026-Nomination/gallery?group=546108

We are honored to serve families facing some of life's hardest moments by providing comfort, meals, support, and a place to stay close to their child during critical medical care. And, YOU are a big part of why we'd like to be known as the BEST! 💛

06/04/2026

The smallest items often make the biggest difference for the families staying at Ronald McDonald House Missoula.

This week's most-needed items are:
💛Laundry Bleach Pods
💛Free & Clear Laundry Pods
💛Family-Size Cereal
💛Honey

These everyday essentials help us provide comfort, care, and a sense of home while families focus on their child's medical journey.

We are so grateful for our incredible community and the many ways you support our families. Shop local and stop by Ronald McDonald House Missoula with your gift, or shop our Amazon Wishlist and have supplies sent directly to us. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/21W8AG1J43AEV?ref_=wl_share

06/03/2026

Sometimes the most beautiful things happen when a community comes together with a heart for helping others.

As families walk through our doors at Ronald McDonald House Missoula, they are often carrying more than suitcases. They are carrying fear, uncertainty, exhaustion, and hope. They are here because their child needs medical care, and in those moments, knowing they have a warm bed, a home-cooked meal, and a place to be together can mean everything.

That's why partnerships like this one mean so much.

We are deeply grateful to the wonderful team at Gem Missoula for choosing to support our families through their Summer Garden Party on June 4. While guests enjoy flowers, shopping, treats, and all the joy this event has to offer, they'll also be helping provide comfort and care for families navigating some of the hardest days of their lives.

The kindness of our community never ceases to amaze us. Every balloon popped, every purchase made, and every person who shows up is helping remind our families that they are not walking this journey alone.

From all of us at Ronald McDonald House, thank you, Gem Missoula, for turning a beautiful summer celebration into something even more meaningful. ❤️

Because when a child needs medical care, family should be nearby—and a caring community makes that possible.

✨ The Gem Summer Garden Party is HERE and we are pulling out ALL the stops. 🌸

Mark your calendars for June 4th at GEM, we're throwing the most fun, gorgeous, feel-good summer event Missoula has seen.

Here's what's waiting for you:

💐 Farm Hand Farm flowers
🍧 Stella's snowcone truck
🍹 Wilderness Wine Guy cocktails
👗 Goldie Vintage Clothing
💍 Sophie Iris Design jewelry
🧥 Olive's Closet hand quilted jackets + vests
🛍️ Makers Market pop-up
💄 Charm bar with Anfisa lip gloss
🔬 Skin analysis + mini consults with Aura
..and YES, our BIGGEST summer sale EVER — up to 15% off everything. 🙌

🎈 Feeling lucky? Pop a balloon for a chance to win prizes — including laser treatments! All proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House.

📸 Selfie station. Flower crowns. Great people and even better vibes!

💎 CLUBHOUSE MEMBERS — you get EXCLUSIVE VIP access one hour before doors open. More details on your special perks coming soon!

New to the Gem family? Join as a Clubhouse Member and start with $50–$100 in beauty bank. 💅

This is our favorite event of the year, and we would love to see you there!

05/31/2026

Can you help us build a neighborhood?!

As we prepare for this year's Bandana Ball, celebrating 20 years of serving families in Western Montana, we're hoping to create something truly special.

We're looking for a few talented volunteers who might be willing to help us build simple wooden house centerpieces that will be featured throughout the event. Each house will represent the heart of our mission and the thousands of Family Stays made possible through the support of our community.

The design is intentionally simple and can be built from basic plywood or MDF. We have plans and examples ready to share!

This could be a wonderful project for:
A high school shop class
An Eagle Scout project
A trade school or apprenticeship program
A service club such as Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, or Exchange Club
A fraternity, student organization, or youth leadership group
Families looking to volunteer together
A hobby woodworker

We're hoping to create an entire "neighborhood" of houses that will help tell the story of hope, healing, comfort, courage, and community during our event.

If you're interested in helping, please send us a message or email [email protected].

Together, we'll create something beautiful that reminds every guest what Ronald McDonald House is all about: providing Family Stays and ensuring families can be together during some of life's most challenging moments.

With gratitude,
❤️ The Ronald McDonald House Missoula Team

05/28/2026

Meet Our Monthly Meal Partner: Josiah & Katie Nelson and Family ❤

Each month, Josiah and Katie Nelson, along with their children, bring comfort and care to families staying at Ronald McDonald House Missoula through our Meals from the Heart program.

For families from across Montana traveling to Missoula for a child’s critical medical care, days are often long, uncertain, and exhausting. A warm meal waiting at the House offers so much more than nourishment. It brings relief, comfort, and a rare moment to simply sit together and breathe.

The Nelson family’s consistent kindness makes that possible month after month.

What makes their support especially meaningful is that it’s families helping families. Their generosity not only serves parents and children in a difficult season, but also teaches their own children the value of compassion and community.

Because of Monthly Meal Partners like the Nelsons, families are reminded they are not walking this journey alone.

Thank you, Nelson family, for faithfully showing up with open hearts and helping make our House feel like home.

Interested in making a direct impact? Becoming a Monthly Meal Partner helps bring nourishment and hope to families when they need it most. Contact Teresa at [email protected] for more information.

05/27/2026

We are incredibly grateful to Opportunity Bank of Montana for this generous Member Impact Fund Grant supporting Ronald McDonald House Missoula.

This meaningful support helps make family stays possible for those who must travel to Missoula so their child can receive critical medical care. By helping provide a warm bed, home-cooked meals, comfort, and a place to stay together and close to the hospital, this partnership eases burdens families face during some of scariest times of their lives.

Every family stay represents precious moments together... sharing meals, reading bedtime stories, and supporting one another while focusing on what matters most - their sick child.

Thank you for helping us keep families close and for investing in care, comfort, and hope for families across Western Montana.

Keeping families close when it matters most. 💙

Through our partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, we presented a Member Impact Fund grant to RMHC of Western Montana to support their mission.

Member FDIC